When hurricanes strike Florida, or even nearby, Hillsborough County political consultant Mark Proctor can expect a phone call. From the president's people, no less.
Yes, that president. W. And that generally means that Proctor is dropping everything to head where the damage is, be it from Hurricane Charley or Katrina.
Proctor, who also was appointed to the Tampa Sports Authority by W's brother, Jeb, arranges things. And when disaster strikes, Proctor is one of a handful of people who help organize presidential visits to the region affected.
Along wit h Ferman Automotive marketing chief Frank North and Brandon lawyer Jim Williams, Proctor helps organize transportation, supplies and an itinerary for the president's travels. Proctor said there's an emphasis on giving him a good idea of the scope of the wreckage without his presence interfering in the recovery.
"The president has said before that, whatever happens, he doesn't want to disrupt operations," Proctor said. "He tries to come in quietly."
Proctor said the relationship began around 1999, during the presidential campaign. A Republican loyalist, Proctor was called on to help with the president's many swings through pivotal Florida. He estimates he's probably helped coordinate 30 visits.
No, he says, they're not a first-name basis. Not even a nickname basis.
Well, there was one visit. Everyone was standing around waiting for a cameraman to show. Proctor broke out his digital camera.
"He called me something like our techno, photographer guy," Proctor said. "But it wasn't one that stuck."
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Hillsborough County Commission Chairman Jim Norman must have felt a little guilty after bashing fellow board member Mark Sharpe during their meeting Wednesday.
Sharpe earlier in the meeting had withdrawn his support for Norman's amateur sports complex. Norman lambasted his reasoning and, basically called him a hypocrite for demanding more details about the project, details he accused Sharpe of not seeking on other things on the agenda.
Later in the meeting, Norman apologized if his "passion for children" was misconstrued as aggression.
"It's too much testosterone, Mr. Chairman. We understand," quipped Commissioner Ronda Storms. A suddenly jovial Norman, then made reference to the many thrashings Storms has handed out, asking her what her excuse was then.
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Josh Burgin, who became an aide to County Commissioner Brian Blair after an unsuccessful run for state House in the last election, is now vacating that post for something even more bold.
Later this month, Burgin will fly to Kazakhstan to become the resident country director for the International Republican Institute. It is one of a few nonprofit, nonpartisan groups inspired by former President Ronald Reagan and funded by Congress to promote democracy overseas. Burgin, 29, has committed to the job for two years.
Burgin will be succeeded in Blair's office by his younger sister, Rachel, who has been working as an office administrator for the Dickerson Law Firm in Brandon.
Blair said she comes with an impressive resume in announcing the change at Wednesday's meeting.
"And she's a tad cuter," Norman said.
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The Scott Farrell for Congress effort has brought in a new campaign manager, Dhardra Blake, who most recently has been doing fundraising work for Democrat Rod Smith in the race for Florida governor.
"This is just a better opportunity for me because I'll be doing a little bit of everything," Blake said.
Previously, she managed grass roots efforts for the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers in South Florida and was volunteer coordinator for college buddy Adam Hasner's first state House bid in 2002.
Farrell is running for the District 11 seat being vacated by Jim Davis and is competing so far with Kathy Castor, Al Fox, Les Miller, and Michael Steinberg.
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Tampa Bay businessman and political newcomer Ray Young is trying to defeat at least two people with considerable name recognition in next year's Republican primary for state Senate District 10. So far he's facing former Hillsborough school superintendent Earl Lennard and former state Rep . Sandy Murman in the race to succeed Tom Lee.
Young apparently is willing to spend his own money to get his name out. He announced this week that he has lent his campaign $75,000. That brings the total he has to spend, with money he has raised from others, to $103,838.
